THE POULTRYMEN'S PROBLEM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 30 March 1915, Page 3

THE POULTRYMEN'S PROBLEM.

(To iha Editor.) Sir, —I notice that Mr Massey has again been interviewed on this vital question that is rapidly crushing one of the most important industries of the country out of existence. Deputation after deputation ha 6 waited on Mr Massey pleading for some action to be taken on the pa', t of the Government to prevent its total annihilation and utter ruin_ of the hundreds who have, on the advice snd instigation of the Government poultry experts and instructors, invested their all in an industry that is recognised by every nation in the world as one of the most valuable any country can possess, viz., the poultry industry. We not only deserve attention and protection, but we deserve special attention. Beca-ise not only have we invested our own individual money in the business, but the Government have also deeply invested our money in the project. Look at 'the thousands and thousands of pounds that have been spent to bring it to. the sU<ge of importance it had reached six months ago, with its experimental poultry farms, poultry managers, experts and instructors (all of which have done work of incalculable value), which latter for years have travelled all over the country fiom Auckland to the Bluff giving valuable information on the subject, aud distributing poultry literature broadcast, issuing bulletin aftex* bulletinj in fact, U6ing every means possible in order to fcfduce as many as possible to engage m an industry of profit to themselves and value to the country ; and they, thanks to their expert knowledge and energy, succeeded, (although many of us to-day think it unfortunately), in including hundreds of us to embark into the poultry industiy, not with the idea of making a fortune, |but thajt with economy and i hard work for a year N or two, would give us a comfortable living. Hence, as I say, hundreds commenced to establish poultry plants of large and email dimensions, according_ to their means, sufficient to give a fair living, and rearing chickens to the extent of from 500 to 5000 or 10,000 a year. All went fairly well until the unfortunate war broke out. This, as you know, was prior to the election. And no sooner had war been declared than Mr Massey rushed to the front, not the war front, but the election front, waving his banner of promised protection, announcing in no uncertain tone that he would put down his hobb-nailed reform boot on the neck of any one who dared to attempt to exploit his dear beloved electors; no, he assured them with smiling countenance, so long as he was in power they need have no fear, for he promised tnat, if necessary, he would appoint a Commission to fix prices for his beloved electors' protection, and left them all apparently satisfied. No, not all, for there was an ominous growl from some farmer friends, who wanted to know what he meant. Now the poor, unfortunate poultryman is sacrificed. Oh, that we could feed our poultry on promisee, what fortunes we f, would make! Mr Massey's latest reply to deputation was that he had been making enquiries about maize in South Africa, where there was a plentiful supply. It's not the quantity we object to, (there is plenty of maize here), it's the price that is killing us, and even this could not be got for two or three months. The 'same old diet is offered as food for fowls as he gave the electors before the election—promises, promises—but I am afraid that the hens won't take to it and live as easy as the . electors did. Why should one class be fostered and coddled up and another class crushed out of existence? Why should the Government buy wheat and sell it to millers at a

loss, which you and I will neod pay for. We do not want any special favours. All we -want- is a square deal. Why should not the Government buy wheat and sell it to us poultrymen, not at a loss, but at cost, or even a little over. It's our own money they are using. No one that has a tpark of humanity could ever raise a thought against the atterhtion that the people and the Government are bestowing upon the awful desolation and distress of the Belgians, but nothing can justify the apathy, inaction, indifference of the Government in not taking decisive steps to prevent the total annihilation of an industry that has been built up at the expense of thousands of pounds of public money, as well as to prevent the complete ruination of those who have, on their advice, embarked on the business. The present- prices of food have forced hundreds of us to dispose of stock worth last year from 6s to 10s each for as many pence, with the alternative of boiling them down to feed as fresh meat for the remaining fowls. Belief may come. If it does, even now to many it is too late, and ruin 6tares them in the face for the inaction of the Government has dealt a blow of ruin and desolation to the poultry industry and all concerned as effective as the Germans have done to the poor, unfortunate Belgians. I am, etc., A VICTIM.